One of the best miniseries to come out of Paramount+ is a surprisingly entertaining video game adapted series that deserves more love. Paramount+ as a platform has become an incredible hub for interesting action stories, from the Yellowstone universe built brick by brick thanks to Taylor Sheridan, to the Dexter saga of shows about a killer with a code, there is a lot to uncover.
However, one of the most fascinating shows on the platform takes a very different approach to storytelling, which may in part be down to the fact that it depicts a character from a video game series. Of course, the show is Knuckles, the spin-off limited series from the popular Sonic movies, starring Idris Elba as the titular echidna.
And while the show shifts the focus from the blue hedgehog, the series manages to create a thoroughly fun and inventive six episodes that contain the energy of a video game while also building out the world of the films in a way that makes some of the supporting characters a much larger part of the narrative.
Knuckles Is A Surprisingly Fun Video Game Adaptation From Paramount
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It’s fair to say that the expectations around the Knuckles series were not particularly high before the show came out. As much as Elba is a massive Hollywood star, and the opportunity to see him expand his character was enticing, Knuckles was clearly changing course from the epic adventures depicted in the films.
That being said, this did open the door to make this series a fun, low-stakes entry in the franchise that could feel like side quests in a video game, and take the audience on a journey that fleshes out a less pivotal part of the story as a way of becoming more immersed and getting closer to other characters who rarely got a chance to shine.
With that in mind, Knuckles is a wonderful addition to the live-action Sonic saga, which also places Adam Pally’s Wade Whipple into a central role as he teams up with Knuckles to train for a bowling tournament. There are also surprisingly competent and compelling action sequences when Knuckles faces off against enemies, and visual effects that rival the big-budget movies.
Knuckles Proves The Live-Action Sonic Franchise Still Hasn’t Had A Miss
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For the longest time, video game adaptations proved to be the bane of Hollywood. Despite being rich source material for adapting big stories, with built-in fanbases who were thoroughly invested in the narrative, most movies and shows depicting the world of video games fell far short of the quality familiar audiences expected, and they ultimately failed to capture the characters and emotions of the stories they were trying to adapt.
Thankfully, 2020s Sonic the Hedgehog was among the first films to shake off the curse of bad video game adaptations thanks to the incredible casting, the willingness to lean into goofy and absurd humor, and the clear elements of the game that were successfully brought to the big screen, such as Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, the connection to golden rings, and Sonic’s signature sense of humor and appetite.
Knuckles built on that foundation with a series that accurately adapts a more sullen character, while also creating a competent narrative where he engages in a task that seems outrageous, and then layers in some action and intensity for balance. It’s a wonderful entry that deserves more attention and love for the way it navigates a story that could have fallen flat.
Of course, there are some divided opinions regarding the series, but that is true for every film in the Sonic franchise as well. What is certain is that this series is in-keeping with the wider saga, and it manages to overcome so many of the challenges that have plagued video game adaptations for decades. Knuckles sticks the landing, and it’s a great addition to an already great franchise.
Knuckles
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